FEARS that elderly people could be marooned by crowds leaving Darlington's new football stadium surfaced this week.

The concern followed an angry reaction from people living close to the ground following news that Neasham Road would be partly closed after matches.

Last month householders living close to the £15m stadium were warned by the council that police intended to close part of Neasham Road after matches to help crowds disperse.

But the plan, which will close the road from the stadium to Geneva Road roundabout for at least 20 minutes, will also maroon a handful of elderly and disabled people living in Neasham Road.

Protester Jan Mazurk, who lives on the corner of Brankin Road is registered disabled. She and her 80-year-old next door neighbour have been told by police they will be unable to gain access to their homes by car.

She said: "We are the only two homes with cars in Neasham Road who will not be able to park outside the front door during these road closures.

"The elderly people in the railway cottages opposite and the people on Neasham Road caravan park will be either sealed in or sealed out. It's just not on."

Peter Foster, ward councillor for Hurworth, has had dozens of people ringing him up to complain about the closure.

"I've had a few complaints from people in Neasham and Hurworth but most have come from the Neasham Road and Brankin Road area," he said. "They are just completely fed up with it all. Complaints have been met with a stony silence from their own ward councillors so they've asked me what I'm going to do about it.

"I'm not against the stadium. The problem is where it has been built. Morton Park and Blands Corner roundabouts are already very busy and traffic leaving the stadium will congest them even more.

"But to close Neasham Road for 20 minutes could back up cars right to Bank Top. People don't want all those fumes outside their doors and resent not being able to come and go when they want to."

Marcus Nimmo, of Neasham Road Action Group, agreed. "To suggest closing Neasham Road at all is ludicrous," he said. "Police have told us 30 minutes is not long enough to disperse a capacity crowd of 10,000. The fact is they just don't know how long they will need."

A Durham Police spokesman said: "How long that half mile stretch will close will depend on the size and behaviour of the departing crowd."

Police confirmed that no additional officers or costs would be incurred and that a park and ride scheme to and from the railway station for away fans was being developed.